Page:Poems Sigourney 1827.pdf/15

Rh Which shone in darkness, though our darkness fail'd To comprehend them.—Can'st thou boast, like earth, A Kepler, skilful pioneer and wise?— A sage to write his name among the stars Like glorious Herschel?—or a dynasty Like great Cassini's, which from sire to son Transmitted Science as a birthright seal'd? —Rose there some lunar Horrox,—to whose glance Resplendent Venus her adventurous course Reveal'd, even in his boyhood?—some La Place Luminous as the skies he sought to read?— Thou deign'st no answer,—or I fain would ask If since thy bright creation, thou hast seen Ought like a Newton, whose admitted eye The arcana of the universe explored Light's subtle ray its mechanism disclosed, The impetuous comet his mysterious lore Unfolded,—system after system rose, Eternal wheeling thro' the immense of space, And taught him of their laws.—Even angels stood Amaz'd, as when in ancient times they saw On Sinai's top, a mortal walk with God.— —But he to whom the secrets of the skies Were whisper'd—in humility adored, Breathing with childlike reverence the prayer, —"When on yon heavens, with all their orbs, I gaze, Jehovah!—what is man?"